Kathleen Wallace

The concept of a relational self has been prominent in feminism, communitarianism, narrative self theories, and social network theories, and has been important to theorizing about practical dimensions of selfhood. However, it has been largely ignored in traditional philosophical theories of personal identity, which have been dominated by psychological and animal theories of the self. This book offers a systematic treatment of the notion of the self as constituted by social, cultural, political, and biological relations. The author’s account incorporates practical concerns and addresses how a relational self has agency, autonomy, responsibility, and continuity through time in the face of change and impairments. This cumulative network model (CNM) of the self incorporates concepts from work in the American pragmatist and naturalist tradition. The ultimate aim of the book is to bridge traditions that are often disconnected from one another—feminism, personal identity theory, and pragmatism—to develop a unified theory of the self.

The concept of a relational self has been prominent in feminism, communitarianism, narrative self theories, and social network theories, and has been important to theorizing about practical dimensions of selfhood. However, it has been largely ignored in traditional philosophical theories of personal identity, which have been dominated by psychological and animal theories of the self. This book offers a systematic treatment of the notion of the self as constituted by social, cultural, political, and biological relations. The author’s account incorporates practical concerns and addresses how a relational self has agency, autonomy, responsibility, and continuity through time in the face of change and impairments. This cumulative network model (CNM) of the self incorporates concepts from work in the American pragmatist and naturalist tradition. The ultimate aim of the book is to bridge traditions that are often disconnected from one another—feminism, personal identity theory, and pragmatism—to develop a unified theory of the self.

Follow the delightful story of four young children who get caught up in an unexpected adventure in the Alaskan wilderness."Fun and entertaining from beginning to end I read it to my 6-year-old and he was hanging on to every word I appreciated the surprise ending. The story has you guessing, as it leads you on a fun, engaging adventure of four young children."Natalie Gustafson - Mother and Teacher I thought the story was funny. I liked it very much. I liked it when people thought Grandma was a witch. - Robert Klopp - Age 8 Children will lie still under the covers waiting with excitement as this wonderful story uncovers itself. Tony Tupper - Father and Grandfather Unique, a page-turner for adults, even. Trust your Grandma. - Greg Burkman This book is captivating and kids of all ages will enjoy reading it. It takes your imagination away where things are simple and full of adventure. - Ivy Tupper - Mother and Grandmother Alaskan Troll Eggs is a delightful story teaching us that the innocent imagination of children can lead us on an adventure through the Alaskan wilderness in search of Troll Eggs. - Sue and Dan Schaaf - Grandparents Alaskan Troll Eggs by Kathleen Wallace is a delightful stroll through a child's imagination and the insatiable thirst for adventure that resides therein. The writer perfectly captures the benign capriciousness of childhood as she follows the four children Robert, Leife, Jude, and Ky, and their encounter with the strange, old woman and her "troll eggs".Written in the passive voice of most children's books, Ms. Wallace's narrative occurs within the active imaginations of the children, themselves. One remembers and can easily understand the child's needs to create an exotic, yet more accessible, overlay. I certainly do. Sure, she may be the grandmother you see on holidays and special occasions, but life becomes infinitely more interesting when she transforms into the "Crazy, Old Woman of the Woods". Likewise, the tasty purple potatoes in grandma's garden assume a new dimension of mystery as troll eggs.This, then, is the area I feel the writer has achieved something of significance. Creating the fantasy world of the children (whimsically illustrated by Brian Collins) while explaining that world through metaphor. Ms. Wallace allows us to reconnect with our own childhood in the most subtle of ways. In this, her debut effort, the writer succeeds and we are the ones who are rewarded. - J.C. Campione